HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-2023 PRC MinutesCity of San Luis Obispo, Agenda, Planning Commission
Minutes
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes
January 4, 2023
Council Chamber – 990 Palm Street
The City of San Luis Obispo has returned to in-person meetings. Zoom participation will not
be supported. For those attending in-person, City facilities will be at limited capacity and
masks are strongly recommended.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public Comment prior to the meeting (must be received 3 hours in advance of the
meeting):
Mail - Delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Address letters to the City Clerk's
Office at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, 93401.
Email - Submit Public Comments via email to advisorybodies@slocity.org. In
the body of your email, please include the date of the meeting and the item number
(if applicable). Emails will not be read aloud during the meeting.
Voicemail - Call (805) 781-7164 and leave a voicemail. Please state and spell your
name, the agenda item number you are calling about, and leave your comment.
Verbal comments must be limited to 3 minutes. All voicemails will be forwarded to the
members and saved as Agenda Correspondence. Voicemails will not be played
during the meeting.
*All correspondence will be archived and distributed to members, however, submissions
received after the deadline will not be processed until the following day.
Public Comment during the meeting:
Meetings have returned to an in-person format. To provide public comment during the
meeting, you must be present in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street. Zoom
participation will not be supported. The Parks and Recreation Department is located 1341
Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo. If you have questions, contact the City Clerk's Office at
cityclerk@slocity.org or (805) 781-7100.
Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for January 4, 2023
2 | P a g e
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
5:30 p.m. REGULAR MEETING Council Chamber
990 Palm Street
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Robert Spector
ROLL CALL : Vice Chair Kari Howell, Commissioners Rick Blair, Kari Duperron, Kris
Roudebush, Adam Stowe, and Andrew Webber. All Commissioners present.
PUBLIC COMMENT: At this time, people may address the Committee about items not on the
agenda. Persons wishing to speak should come forward and state their name and address. Comments
are limited to three minutes per person. Items raised at this time are generally referred to staff and, if
action by the Committee is necessary, may be scheduled for a future meeting.
N/A
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Committee of December 7, 2022. Motion to approve
December 7, 2022, minutes as submitted was made by Commissioner Roudebush and seconded
by Commissioner Blair. Minutes approved.
CONSENT ITEMS
NA
BUSINESS ITEMS
2. Introduction and Overview of the Jack House Docent Program (Burger – 25 minutes)
Recommendation: An introduction was made by the current Jack House Docent President, Toni
Kincaid and she provided a general overview of the current Docent Program, previous and
scheduled events, followed by a discussion of roles and responsibilities between Docents,
Parks & Recreation Staff, and the Commission Liaison. Foundation funds could be used to
Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for January 4, 2023
3 | P a g e
address some of the maintenance and small projects. Need to address recruitment of Docents
and ideas for additional advertising and outreach and events for families and youth.
Q: What are the Master Plan inclusions for the Jack House improvements? Roof and
pergola are included as upcoming CIP projects 23-25. Volunteer groups can assist in
expediting projects.
Commission question: Provide an update on Docents – retainment and the Relationship
between the Docents and the Parks and Recreation Department? Additional programming
ideas to be provided to the Parks and Recreation Dept.
3. Presentation on the Draft Concept Plans for the Laguna Lake Dog Park Project
(Kloepper/Long – 45 minutes)
Recommendation: Receive presentation from City Planning Staff and the Wallace Group on
the initial scope and concept designs for the Laguna Lake Dog Park. 2 ½ to 3 acres of size
overall.
1. Review and discuss the proposed concept layouts
2. Provide direction to Staff on preferred amenities and layouts to proceed with design.
Parking Lot: additional parking space is outside of the current scope and would be included in larger
scope of Laguna Lake Park upgrades.
Lighting: Lighting will be included in the project and specific details will be determined and
included in subsequent design proposals.
Signage: paid signage, memorials, etc. can be considered in the future.
Structures: Are “water play” structures a consideration? Will address in subsequent design
Public Response:
Speaker #1 – Bob Goldman
Need more open space. Keep it wide open. Extend western boundaries. Concerned that there was not
sufficient information. Put project on hold.
Speaker #2 – Kathy Kimball
Need open space and unobstructed area for dog enjoyment. Understand that a perimeter is needed for
the safety of the dogs. Current designs seem too constrained. Community group representative.
Speaker #3 – Brian Reynolds
We don’t use the park because there is no fencing. We use El Choro Park instead. We need a safe
place to go and in favor of an area for small dogs. Leave the area a bit wider. Helpful to have a
liaison.
Speaker #4 - Fred Starbuck
Lives across from the dog park and enjoys the park close by. The open dog park “seems” to work. I
don’t have a dog. The fence on the road is very useful.
Speaker #5 – Pam Worth
Many dogs go to the dog park. Open space and unique. Agree that a perimeter fence is needed but
not in favor of separating the space.
Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for January 4, 2023
4 | P a g e
Speaker #6 – John McKenzie
SLO City Dog Park group. Thank you for a proposal for an enclosed dog park. We support the
overall proposal with some provisions. We have sent a letter to the Commission with our suggestions.
We are concerned with the cost. Water centric watering stations. Trees are a good idea but perhaps a
wall of some sort in the interim while the trees grow. Consider some parking modifications in the
short term.
Speaker #7 – Cindy Nichols
There does need to be a small dog area for the safety of the small dogs.
Speaker #8 – Lee Clark
Two spots in the park that have a spring and are always wet. Those are problem areas. Human Social
interaction at the park is important and many people socialize together on a daily basis and so
dividing the area up does not support this. Is this natural native grass? I am in favor of having both a
large and small dog area.
Director Avakian: Parking will be addressed later, and Public Works will be in charge of that part
of the project. The Parks and Recreation Department is focusing on the Dog Park itself.
Commission Direction:
Commissioner Webber: Keep as much of a visual open space feel as possible, however fencing is
needed and also a small dog area.
Commissioner Stowe: I like proposal #1. Fence needed and also a small dog area. The trees are
nice; however, we may need another boarder in the meantime while they grow.
Commissioner Roudebush: Keep the area as open as possible and not divided, however fencing
needed for both dogs and their owners. Option #1 is more organic in feel. I like the
courtyard/entryway area. A small dog area is needed. Incorporate an agility area somewhere and
have it available for special events.
Commissioner Howell: Request for open space and prioritize needs for usage and socialization. I
prefer the first layout Option #1.
Commissioner Blair: Support preserving the feel of openness that it currently has. Adding new
features makes sense over time and we need to prioritize them. Socialization for dog owners needs to
continue to be encouraged.
Commissioner Dupperon: The openness of the park is great. Definitely a wind break would be
helpful in this windy area. The proposed plaza area is great. We could incorporate a memorial spot.
Chair Spector:
Three areas are not needed. Large dog area could be mixed use. Small dog/puppy area is needed.
Fencing, Signage, Memorials, Shade areas. Water play area for dogs could also be incorporated.
This could also be used by visitors. Sidewalk and seating is great for anyone wanting the visit the
park and have a peaceful place to sit and watch.
Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for January 4, 2023
5 | P a g e
Director Avakian: Questions to consider – Separate large dogs vs. mixed? And a small dog area?
Having perimeter fencing is non-negotiable as it is a liability issue and that will stay as part of the
plan. Perhaps also having an area for instructional classes and perhaps puppies? We want to
summarize and get to 90% agreement on the proposed designs.
Wallace Group Presentation:
We will revise design Option #1. Perhaps a type of screening could be placed as a wind break while
the trees are growing. We can change the sizes and areas “inside” of the park and we can revise the
ground cover choices and incorporate dog activity areas. It is important to have a small dog area for
small dog safety.
Commissioner Roudebush: The path seems like a natural barrier between the two areas.
Commissioner Howell: Temporary fencing or trees could provide shade and separation yet would
keep an open feel. Which area is targeted for people socialization?
4. Receive Department-wide Program Updates (Staff – 30 minutes)
a. Ranger Service, Project Status, General Department-wide Updates
a. Two vacancies and a new staff member is starting tomorrow, and we are
recruiting for the second position and then we will be fully staffed.
b. Righetti trail is somewhat delayed due to weather.
c. Bike Park being scoped. Community forum will take place. Late spring could
be the groundbreaking.
d. Four rangers on call to currently assist Public Works during these storms.
e. There is facilitation of encampments by being proactive with the storms.
f. Preparation underway for upcoming financial plan and budget process.
g. Park Project planning is underway.
b. Youth Services, Community Services, Public Art Program Updates
a. Youth Services: Family Fest event was a huge success. Recruiting for a Site
Director position. Need to recruit for three more positions.
b. Youth Sports, Seniors, and Youth Services updates.
c. Public Art: Trail mural project update and will begin this quarter. Chorro
underpass mural will begin in the Spring.
c. Aquatics, Golf, and Facilities Updates
a. Aquatics: Recruitment is top priority. Fully operational hours are challenging
due to limited staffing. Lifeguard course will take place in February.
b. Golf: Operations and Maintenance review. Grand opening of new
concessionaire is scheduled for January. Maintenance challenge due to storms.
c. Facilities: Many location closures due to the rainstorms.
SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS
Subcommittee Liaison Reports (Chair– 15 minutes)
Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for January 4, 2023
6 | P a g e
a. Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Blair
i. No update
b. Active Transportation Committee: Commissioner Webber
i. No update
c. Jack House Committee: Vacant. Will need nominations by February 1st.
d. Youth Sports Association: Commissioner Stowe
i. No update
Communication:
ADJOURNMENT at 8:15 p.m.
To the Regular M eeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee as approved by the PRC to
Wednesday , February 1 , 202 3, at 5:30 p.m. to be in-person at Library Community Room (995
Palm Street).
The City of San Luis Obispo wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible to the public. Upon request, this
agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities. Any person with a dis ability
who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such request to the Parks
and Recreation Department at (805) 781-7300 at least 48 hours before the meeting, if possible. Telecommunications Device
for the Deaf (805) 781-7107.
Meeting audio recordings can be found at the following web address:
http://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/1/fol/61014/Row1.aspx